Fall is Upon Us!

Fall is rapidly approaching and it's been a busy few weeks around the Harris household. Fall has always been my favorite time of year-It's just hard to beat that cool morning air. After a few months of miserable heat it's nice to see the grass green again and the flowers making a comeback before the first frost. The weather isn't the only thing that is changing around here. Kenzie is growing faster than ever.  Kenzie is one cool toddler....

 

and I think she knows it!

 

 We like 'shades' of all kinds!

  

We get lots of visitors in Tupelo these days. It' funny because when we lived here during residency it was so unusual for us to have guests. Hmmmm...I wonder what could explain this? It's probably the Tupelo Buffalo Park, right?

Here's Aunt Kathy and Kenzie hanging out in the front yard.

 

I am happy to report that I have a future yard/Christmas lighting assistant in the works. Kenzie loves being outside and is obsessed with picking up every stick, leaf, acorn, and insect in the yard! Her apprenticeship officially begins with this years Christmas light display.

 

We also got an unexpected visit from Uncle Larry. It was so nice to see him even if it was only for a few days.

 

Here's Kenzie admiring Larry's RANGER Tab. It's almost like she knows how much hard work Larry had to put in to get it!

 

A few more yard pictures....

 

and being silly for the camera!

 

One of the most terrifying things I've done in a long time is sign up for the MSHA program through UAB. Each semester requires an intensive 7 day period of on site lectures (8 hours a day). It has been a LONG time since I've tried to keep my attention focused that long in one place. What's particularly scary is the fact that most of this material is like a foreign language to me. Balance sheets and income statements...What are those!? Jennifer and Kenzie came along with me to Birmingham and Nana and Pawpaw came up too. While I was being tortured by Quantitative Methods they were out having a blast :-)

Here they are at a nice mall in Birmingham...

 

Here's Kenzie playing with a gigantic Light-Brite at the McWane Science Center in Birmingham. Remember those?

 

Playing in the water with Jennifer....

  

and checking out a goat that looks like it is about to mistake Kenzie's finger for a treat. 

 

Kenzie is, as you might expect, is a Bulldog fan by the natural order of things. In preparation for her first MSU game, Honey picked up some accessories. Is she happy or what?

I am a little concerned regarding her comfort level with public nudity!

 Pops stealing a little sugar

 

 Recently we've noticed a brisk uptick in the amount of food that our outdoor cat Tux has been eating daily. His food and water bowl are just outside my study window. As you can see below we have an explanation! Now what are we going to do about it? Fortunately Pops is well trained in the art of vermin capture and removal!

  

Finally the day of the big game arrived. Here is Honey and Kenzie in the parking lot.

 

Everyone keeps stealing Kenzie's sugar. Even Aunt Lisa is guilty!

 

 Kenzie really enjoyed the game...well at least the first quarter. It was a great experience and we look forward to many more!

 

The biggest change in our household has happened over the last few weeks. We've been patiently waiting on Kenzie to realize that she has the strength and balance to walk. We've not pushed her, knowing that once she took those first steps things would be very different for us. It really is quite amazing...almost like throwing a switch. In a matter of one week we went from...

to this.....

And just like that...life is forever changed. While I am more than excited, I can't help but feeling that my little girl is growing up way too fast. I'm going to enjoy every moment!

Here's one last picture of my little monkey!

 Ashley